Folding wall-bed.



W. 8. JAMES.

FOLDING WALL BED,

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 18, 1905.

- mama N0v.2,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v a A I 1 1 1 r x I x v x I I 1 1 r l l 1 l I Patented miv. 2; @091. V

- z Mam V'W/LLE'FVD' JAMES.

W10. JAMES. FOLDING WALL BED. APPLIQATION I ILBD D120. 18, 1905.

VlZ/rr rzgssrssi v Wait/w WILLARD 0. JAMES, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING WALL-BED.

assess.

Specification of Letters Patent.

remotes Nov. a. less.

Application filed December 18, 1905. Serial No. 292,135.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that l, \VILLARD C. James. a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the. county of Los Angeles-and State of California. have invented a new and useful Folding \Vall-lied. of which the following is a specification.

Objects of this invention are:siniplicity of construction, ease of operation, superior concealment in the wall, ready removal from the wall. portability from its recess in thewall to any part of the room; also to provide a convenient folding wall bed having a metal bedstead that folds into a cone. pact spar-elm storage in the wall recess, and that has the appearance of an ordinary metal bedstead when in position for use; to provide a mirror front for the recess when the bed is in use with the same; ornamental effect as when the bed is folded in the recess; to provide a safety pivotal support to assist in lowering and raising the bed, and to utilize such support in a satisfactory, convenientend ornamental nmnner.

Auoth z object is to provide. a certain support t'or the footof the bed when lowcred for use.

A iother object is to make a folding bed free'of per -nent attachmentto any fixed frame parts. This bed is particularly.

' adapted for use as a part of a house construction occupying a recess in a wall of an apartment, and its construction is such that it may be set in such recess or removed therefrom without. any interference with other parts. i l

Other objects are to provide means for? carrying'the bed forward in the aotof lowm ering so that when lowered, the bed will be entirely out of the recess; to allowthe recess to be closed by' the same closure when the bed is in, as when it is out of use; to provide a. folding wall bed that is; ordinarily atlixed to the building but caliber readily detached and removed to and used as a bed in any part of the room; also to: provide superior and simple means for moving the bed out fully into the room when lowered into position for use. and for eX-. tending and retracting the support as the bed is lowered and raised.

Another object of the invention is to pro -j vide a pivotal supporting means which may? be used as a couch, shelf, or case of drawers, that is accessible when the bed is folded. 1

.\vit.liout couch upholstering.

i invention Figure l is a view of folding wall bed embodying the invention'as it appears when folded into the wall, the shifting fulcrum or pivotal support for the bed being shown Fig."2 is a perspective view of the invention, the shifting :t'ulcrnni or pivotal support being con strncted with drawers. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bed in position for use, omitting bedding. Fig. at is a View oftho bedstead folded into the wall, the pivotal support therefor being shown. in solid lines, with parts in position they occupy while the bed is folded; dotted lines indicate the posi tion of parts when the bed is partially lowcred for use. Fig. 5 is a detached, sectional detail showing positiontof the head of the bedstead when the bed is fully lowered and" the bead released. and brought into upright position. Fig. 6 indicates position of parts intermediate those shown in the solid and dotted lines in Fig. 42. 7 is a View show ing the bed in fully lowered position. Dotted lines indicate the. position of the head. of the bedstead before he same is released and allowed to come-to b'LQ position shown in solid lines. Fig. '8 is a fragmei ttal section of the pivoted telescoping head of the bed. Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragn'iental detail of the counterweight and its connection with I the telescopic section of the hinged head of the bed. Fig. 10 is a frag-mental elevation viewing the left side of the bcd-it'rom inside the recess behind the bed while the bed is told od,the parts being in position shownin solid lines.- in Fig. 41-. Dotted lines,indieatcposition occupied by the counterbalance weight when the bed is lowered in position and before the hinged telescopic head of the bed has been released.- vFig. 11 is a Vii-3W of the" right. side of the head of thebed from similar view-point as Fig. 10 looking right at 7., slmwing in solid lines thegosition of parts just after the bed, has bee lowered, for use and before the hinged portion of the head of the bed has been released. Dotted lines indicate the position the parts occupy in solid lines Fig.-;7,'fafter thehingcd poi tion of the head hits been released. in this view the jioot of the bed is omitted to avoid confusion, but the shifting fulcrum is shown idlinesi Fig. 12 is a fragineidal olan of the footofthe bedli'igiositimi shown lil solid lines in Fig. 11, the wall recess being closed by the door. Fig. .13 is a fra inenta sectional side elevation showing t e construction of the knuckle joint for the leg at the foot of the bed folded. Fig. 14. is a like elevation showing the leg in position for use. Fig. 15 shows the same joint intact viewed from the left of Fig. 14. c

l in a general way designates a bed provided with a base 2 for supporting the bed on end. Means 3 are provided to form a support for the bed when the same is in horizontal position, saidlneans being adapted to form a fulcrum for shifting the bed from upright to horizontal position, and vice. versa. The base 2 is fixed to one end of the bed 1, and the fulcrum means or support 3 isjconstructed to shift as the bed is adjusted from, upright to horizontal position, and vice versa. The base 2 is formed in a rocker 4 on which the bed may be rocked forward and backward in the operation of lowering and raising the bed into position for use and stowage. Means are provided for automatically shifting the ful- .J'GIUDJ means 3-as the bed is changed from upright to horizontal position, and vice verse. For this purpose the bed is hinged 1 by a hinge 5 to an upright portion 6 of a 2 bed swings."

l3 designates brackets fastened respecjtively to the rails'14 of the bed and carrying a facing 15, which when the bed is upright, forms a partial closure for recess 16 into which the bed is packed for concealment when not in use. The shifting fulcrum sup 'ort 3 is adapted to serve as a .couch or seat, or other desirable article of furniture in front of the recess 16, forming a farther forward extension of the closure for the lower portion of the recess. The leg 8 is adapted to automatically fold into the frame 7 as the fulcrum support 3 shifts outward from the recess in which the bed is stowed when not in use. v y

17 designates a tie or brace proyidcd with a hook 18 which hooks into a stationary eye 19. hen the bed is rocked; forward on rocker 4 the hinge attachment 5 between the shifting support 3 and the bed will push the frame 7 away from the mouth of the recess, thus carrying the upper hinged portion of the leg 8 away from the recess, while the tie 17 holds the lower portion of said slio tly leg substantially stationary, thus gradually lowering the frame 7 as the same shifts forward and as the bed lowers. The casters 11 and 12 are arranged at such a distance.

below the hinge 5 as to come into contact with the floor 20 when the bed-rail 14: is in horizontal position. J

21 is a spring-controlled foldable leg hinged by a broken-backed hinge or knuckle joint 22 to the foot 23 of the bed. 2 L indicates a sprin for holding the broken-backed hin exten ed so that the leg 21 stands aslant downward away from the bed-rail, so that when the leg comes to rest on the floor 20, the same can only be. folded under the bed by first lifting the foot'of thebed. This gives a certain su port to the foot of the bed when the bed is owered.

The bed-frame is formed substantially:

'of iron or suitable metal throughout and is largely of tubular construction comprising tubular longitudinal side bars or rails let and angle iron end bars 25 beyond which the rails project. fastened together to form a rectangular frame connected by means of fittings 26 with head and foot posts. Head posts 27 extend through said fittings at the cad of the bed and are connected by brackets 28 with base shoes or bearing strips 2, the forward end of. each shoe being upwardly curved 'or inclined, as shown at 4 these shoes forming the rear members 0 the pivotal parallel motion sup ort for the bed frame. The forward mem ers of such support are formed as'legs for a oouch orother article of furniture, indicated at 7, which is pivotally connected to thesaid legs at 10 and to the bed frames at 5. The facing 15 is in the form of a cross board or member-secured to the front or'bottom of the folding bed by bracket 13 :ittached to the rails 14 at each sideof the bed, and the hinges 5 are secured to the bottom of this cross piece or facing 1 5 and to the to of the board or member fifwhich extends .a ong the rear of the couch or member 7 and forms an integral part thereof.

The head board is preferably constr uoted of corngr posts 27, each having a lrriudkle hinged oint at 33 and upper sections '34 wlnch slide on rods 35, and are 1d toward an upright position by a co terbalance weight 36 that is rigidly connected by rods 37 to dividing rods 38 of the bed head. and hangs below the axis of the hinge joint 6.

39 designates stops for the extensible head, the same being pins through the rods 35 to engage the sliding sections 34 of\ the head posts and thereby lift the counterweight at the 'a'ppropriate time as the bed is lowered for use. 1 5. t'

40 is a loop 1? cord or other flexible con nection fastene over the head '1' bent to extend parallel with the rails thus the-rails 14 to be caught to hold the head frame to hold the counter balance weight in operative position. I

In the upright position or closed position shown in Fig. 4,'the bed is supported by the shoes 2. The hinged door or mirror frame l8 and the pivotal. means 3, 15 form a closure for the bed containing recess 16 when the bed is folded.

In'practical use when the bed "is to be lowered the door 48 is first opened, and then the bed is grasped at the foot and drawn outward whereupon the bed frame will rock 7 forward on the rockers A: causing the, frame 7 v v Q of the pnotal means to move toiward bend 1g down the tops of legs 8, which are held stationary at the bottom by rods 17. The frame 7 finally comes to rest on the casters ll, 12. On Further (l()\\'ll\\'tll'(l'I110??- inent ot' the foot of the bed frame the hinge t becomes the fulcrum on which the bed is carried, as the head end of the frame rises lifting the rocker 4 from the fioorand telescoping the rods 35 into head post sections 34, until stops 39 engage the sections 34, whereupon said sections are raised, lifting the counterbalance weight which then swings up on a radius considerably greater than the distance between the pivot at 5 and the weight at any previous time during the operation described. ly the telescoping action described the counterbalance weight 36 is given greater leverage for counterbalancing the bed fralne and foot when the leverage of the foot is greatest.

I n the operation of returning the bed to u n-ightposition the extended counterweight 36 reaches the door a fter the bed has swung upward considerably on the rocker 4: as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. (i at a time when the rails are nearing upright position and upon a further upward movement of the footot' the bed; the sections 27 withdraw downward from sections 34 ot' the head posts leaving the bed free to be easily tilted out of the recess 16 as'before. During the. initial movement for lowering'the bed, the head board 82 sliding'on the rods 35 is supported by the'weight 36 resting on the-floor 20 until the sliding movementis arrested by the stop 39 whereupon the head-board and the weight are carried up as pounterweights,

releasing the connection 40 the head will,

come to vertical position. When the bed is in the open position as shown in Figs. 3 and 7 the head hoard being drawn downward the mirror frame may be swung inplace,

thus closing the recess above thelevel concoaled by the usual mattress and pillows not shownj By unhmkmg the rod 17, the bed when down may be detached for removal'to any part o'l the apartment. The foot/posts or legs of the bed at the outer or free end thereof are also preferably made to fold inwardly in order to diminish the depth of the recess required, and means are provided for down, the construction being preferably such as to give, when the bed is in position for use, an appearance substantially identical with that of a rigid bed toot-frame.

The foot-board or outer end frame of the bed comprises the foot posts 23 secured to ings r. said foot posts having extensions 41. to which the legs 21 are pivoted 22. This pivotal connection is such as to allow of a certain amount of longitudinal moveuient of the members 21, 41 on one another, the extension 41 having a slot 44 in which a pivot pin 45 ot the le 21. turns and travels. The spring .24 ends within the leg 21 and is coiled around a hub or boss is on the post extention 41 and bears at its other end against an abutment 1:7 on said post extension. The leg member 21 has an upward projection or lug 4-3, and when the said leg is turned into line with the post. extension ll and is then shoved upward longitudinally of said post extension, this lug or projection 43 will ride upwardly within the fitting 26, there being a seat 42 formed in the post extensionll to receive it. The parts are constructed and arranged to allow the leg to stand aslant as shown in Fig. 7 to avoid folding of the same from pressure that might be accidentally applied thereto.

lVhen the bed is raised in the position shown in Fig. l, the legs 21 will droop to a more or loss nearly vertical position owing to their weight and will readily yield to the action of the closure means for the recess as hereinafter described, and as the bed is lowcred the action of gravity, reinforced by the spring 24, will move the log into line with the post extension 41 slightly oblique to the rail. 14, and when the leg strikes the floor vthis motion will be arrested and the fitting 26 will continue to move downwardly over .the same, the projection 43 riding upl into rurely locks the leg from movement except on'lii ting the foot of the bed, thus giving a stable and rigid support andalso giving l substantially the appearance at an ordinary rigid post or leg when the bed lowered.

inged or ivoted at. 49 to one side of the .wall 50 of t is recess and swinging intoclose the upper part ot the recess when-the bed is either. raised or lowered. hen the. bed is raised said closure will come into close juxtaposition and iii-the same plane with the cross board or faci'ng'niember 1-5 aforetirmly locking said legs when the bed is fittings 26 and connected by the usual rail-v A closure means for the recess isdesirably provided consisting preferably of a (1001148 the recess 42 within such fitting. Thlislsesaid on the front of the bed; these two meme hers forming then substantially a continuous plane closure surface for the front of the recess. The closure board 48 may be provided on its front face with a mirror 51 or may be otherwise ornamented in any suit,

able manner, and it is preferably provided with means not shown for holding it in closed position.

The shifting fulcrum member 3 may be formed, as aforesaid, as a Couch or lounge, being provided with the usual springs and upholstering of such devices and forming, when the bed is in raised position, as shown; in Fig. 1, a wall couch 'or lounge, the back for which is formed. by the facing 15. As

on their ivots 1'0! sttdiiltaneously with the. turning orward o'f' the bed frame on the. curved bearings or rockers 4, the member 3 moving forward and dovvnward on these two centers of movement by a parallel action to position shown in Fig. 3 wherein it' is brought close tothe floor and underneath the lowered bed, substantially out of the way.

In case a couch or lounge is not desired, this member 3 may be formed as any other article of furniture suitable for the purpose; for

example, awa'll seat, as shown at 3 in Fig 2 and said seat may be provided with drawers, indicated at 52.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. A bed, a base fixed thereon to support. the bed in upright position, said base being formed at its forward end in a rocker, a support pivoted to thebed in front of and above the rocker, and a leg hinged to the support.

2. A bed provided with a base frame formed in a rocker at its forward end, an adjustable shifting frame hinged to the bed 40 in front and. above the rocker, means for automatically lowering and raising said frame as the bed is lowered and raised, and casters supportingsaid frame in both raised and lowered positions. 1 Q5 3. A bed, a base fixed thereto to supportthe same on end and formed in a rocker at one end, said rocker projecting in front of the bed when the bed is up and fulcrum means in front of therocker for supporting the bed .when moved from upright position.

v 4. A bed, a base fixed thereon to su port the bed upright position, said base lieing formed at its forward end in a rocker, -a support 'pivoted to the bed in front of and above the rocker, a leg hinged to the support, and means for holding the foot of the leg stationary. i

5. 'A' bed provided with 'a base frame formed in a rocker at its'forward end, an adjustable shifting frame hinged to the bed in front and above the rocker, and means for automatically lowering and raising said frame as the bed is lowered and'raised.

6. A bed'provided with a base formed in the bed is lowe'redytli ',"legs 8 turn forward a rocker at its front end, a frame pivoted to the bed above the rocker, a leg hinged to the frame, an eye, and a hook connecting the bottom of the leg with the eye.

7. A recessed body, a bed adaptedto fold into the recess thereof, a support for the bed pivotally connectedthereto and adapted to move toward and from said body, an adjustable leg for said support, and means for automatically folding said leg to lower said support as the bed is lowered.

8. A bed adapted to fold into a recess a frame pivoted to the bed and projecting m front thereof and adapted to form a support for the bed when the same is lowered, "an adjustable leg for said frame, and means for automatically folding said leg to allow the frame to lower as the bed is lowered;

l9. A bed adapted for adjustment to upright and horizontal positions, a support pivoted to said bed and projecting in front thereof to form a couch or the like when the bed is raised, and means including a hinged leg for the support for lowering the support as the bed is lowered.

l0. A-bed holder, a bed adapted to stand upright therein and to lower into a horizontal position, a frame pivoted to .said bed andv adapted to move toward and from said holder, a leg pivoted to said frame, and a tie connecting said leg with the holder to foldfithe leg as the frame moves from. the,

holder when the bed is lowered.

11. A bed provided with a pivoted head and adapted for adjustment to upright and horizontal positions, means for holding the pivoted head folded toward the bed frame,

and a counter-weightfixed to'the head of the bed and arrangedto project beyond the "pivotal point of said head when the bed is lowered. v

12. A-bed provided with a head one end of which is pivotally mounted thereon and the other end is free to fold parallel therewith whenthe bed is horizontal, said head beingadapted to move a weight to shift the center of gravity of said bed as the same is brought to and from horizontal or upright position. U

.13. A bed frame, .a shiftable fulcrum adapted to support said frame during the first portion of its movement from horizontal to upright position, a weight to counterbalance-the foot of the" bed, and an inter-.

mittent fulcrum arranged to support the bed frame during the latter POItIOILQf its movementfrom horizontal to upright position.

14. A bed provided with a pivgot, for" swinging said bed or adjustment to upright and horizontal Cp'ositions, a folding head hinged to said be ,a counter-weight fastened to said head rearward of the bed pivot when the bed is upright and swinging farther rearwardly frbm the bed" pivot when the head is folded than when it is upright, and means for temporarily holding the head in folded position when the bed is down.

l5. A'bed adapted for adjustment to upright and horizontal positions, and provided with a telescopic head hinged thereto, and a counterweight fastened to said head.

16. A be frame provided with a pivot for swinging said bed to upright and horizontal positions, a counterweight pivotally connected with the bed, and adapted to'project rearwardly of the pivots thereof, means to temporarily hold the weight in such rear ward position, a support arranged to support the weight to rest at the close of the upward movement of thebed, a rod to which said weight is fastened, and a section slida-bly connected with said rod and pivoted to said frame.

17. A bed adapted for adjustment to upright and horizontal position, a wall having a recess for the bed, a rocker and base fixed to the head of the bed for supporting the same while tilting and while upright, means for automatically moving the bed into the recess when the bed is erect, legs at the foot of the bed, and means for automatically bringing the legs into supporting position when the bed is lowered, the same lbeing arranged to allow the legs tp droop to chamber in the recess when the bed is upright.

18. A pivoted bed provided on its bottom with a facing,a recessed holder therefor, a couch pivoted to the lower portion of the facing and adapted to form a concealment forv the lower part of the holder, and a door to form. a closure for the recess above the space occupied by the facing when the bed is m the recess, said door being constructed and arranged to swing over the bed when the same is in position to be occupied, said facing and said couch and said door uniting and serving to form a complete closure for the recess when the bed is in the recess. I 1.9. A bed adapted for adjustment to up-- rightand horizontal position, a wall having a recess for the bed, a locker and base fixed to the head of the bed for supporting the same while tilting and whileuprlght, means for automatically moving the'bed into the recess when the bed is erect, legs at the foot of the bed, and means for automatically bringing the legs into supporting position '.$v hen the bed 1S lowered, the same being arranged to allow 'th'e legs to droop to chamber in the recess when the bed is upright, and closure to close the recess in front of said gs. I

tilting bed adapted for adiustment support and provided with a head pivoted above the level of the frame, a weight on the pivoted head extending on the opposite side i of the axis of the pivot fromthe head frame, and means for detachably holding the head of the bed folded toward the bod-frame. 23. A wall. provided with-a recess for a bed, a bed provided with a foldable head above its frame at one end and with foldable supports for the foot under its frame at the i other end andpivotally mounted to fold into said recess, and a door adapted to close the recess above the level of the frame when the bed is lowered out of the recess and in fr'ont.

of the frame when the bed is folded into the recess. p w

24. A bed frame provided on its under side with brackets and a facing, a shiftable:

support for the frame hinged to said facing,

means for supporting the frame in upright position, and means for shifting the adjust- I able support as the frame is tilted from upright to horizontal position, and vice versa.

25. A pivoted bed provided on its bottom with a facing, a recessed holder therefor, a couch pivoted to the lower portion of the facing and adapted to form a concealment for the lower part of the, holder, and a door arranged outside the recess to form a closure for the recess above; the space occupied bythe facing when the bed is 1n the recess, said door being constructed and arranged to swing over the bed when the same is in position to be occupied, thus to allow said recess to be opened and closed when the bed ,is lowered said facing and said couch and said door uniting and serving to form a'closure for the recess when the bed is in the recess.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 9th day of December, 1905. WILLARD 0. JAMES.

In presence of JAMES R. TOWNSEND, J ULTA TOWNSEND. 

